Readout Systems for Cryogenic Dark Matter Detectors

多个天文观测已经确定，宇宙中大约85%的物质不是由已知粒子组成的。破译这种所谓的暗物质的性质对宇宙学、天体物理学和高能粒子物理学具有根本的重要性。一个主要的假设是，它是由弱相互作用大质量粒子（WIMP）组成的，这些粒子是在大爆炸后产生的。如果WIMP是暗物质，那么它们在银河系中的存在可能是通过位于地下深处的探测器中的原子核散射来检测的，以帮助排除宇宙射线造成的背景。低温暗物质搜索（CDMS）合作组织率先使用低温声子介导的探测器来检测WIMP在原子核上的罕见散射，并将它们与背景区分开来。这项工作将产生广泛的影响，超出了暗物质的搜索。技术的发展将进一步推进声子介导探测器，它已经在科学和技术中得到了许多应用。该计划与测量技术的前沿技术合作，支持PI组中物理和电气工程本科生的教育和培训，这是一个多元化的团体，包括非传统和第一代大学生，以及来自STEM学科代表性不足的群体的学生。PI参加了丹佛大学的Mini-STEM学校，当地的Caf 'e Scientific，以及当地K-8磁铁学校的实地考察计划。该奖项将使PI及其学生能够履行SuperCDMS Soudan和SuperCDMS SNOLAB项目的具体责任，包括SuperCDMS Soudan的运营支持，SNOLAB的超导量子干涉器件（SQUID）表征和测试，并在施工和初始调试期间提供支持。计划中的活动还包括对多路SQUID读出的适度研发工作，这是下一代暗物质直接探测工作所需的。

Multiple astronomical observations have established that about 85% of the matter in the universe is not made of known particles. Deciphering the nature of this so-called Dark Matter is of fundamental importance to cosmology, astrophysics, and high-energy particle physics. A leading hypothesis is that it is comprised of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles, or WIMPs, that were produced moments after the Big Bang. If WIMPs are the dark matter, then their presence in our galaxy may be detectable via scattering from atomic nuclei in detectors located deep underground to help reject backgrounds due to cosmic rays.The Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS) Collaboration has pioneered the use of low temperature phonon-mediated detectors to detect the rare scattering of WIMPs on nuclei and distinguish them from backgrounds. This work will have a broad impact which extends beyond the dark matter search. The technical developments will further advance phonon-mediated detectors, which have already found many applications in science and technology.This program, working with techniques on the leading edge of measurement technology, supports education and training of physics and electrical engineering undergraduate students in the PI's group, a diverse body including non-traditional and first-generation college students, as well as students from groups underrepresented in STEM disciplines. The PI participates in the CU Denver's Mini-STEM school, the local Caf´e Scientifique, and a field trip program at a local K-8 magnet school.This award will enable the PI and his students to fulfill specific responsibilities for both SuperCDMS Soudan and SuperCDMS SNOLAB projects, including operations support for SuperCDMS Soudan, superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) characterization and testing for SNOLAB, and support during construction and initial commissioning. Planned activities also include a modest R&D effort toward multiplexed SQUID readout, required for the next-generation dark matter direct detection efforts.